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Auction: 400 - Coins, Commemorative Medals and Stock Certificates - e-Auction
Lot: 158

Spain. Unknown Master, Rioja region, commissioned by a noble family with ties to the cult of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Nativity. Devotional Pax Board, 16th Century. Bronze relief, 103.5 x 144mm, with a high concentration of copper typical of contemporary examples. Radiant Madonna and San Jose flank the Infant Christ at center, an angel above. A hen and a rooster sit atop the side columns, small facing head inside either column; BENEDITVS.FR ("Blessed Brother") incuse above; in the tympanum is the facing figure of Santo Domingo holding the Bible and staff; .S.TO - DOM to the left and right. Armorials at the base of the columns, raised cross at center, colonnade behind. Reverse engraved with a chased grille-pattern (possible the testing of an early goldsmith's tool).

There are three known versions of this pax. The first version, the plaquette offered here, was likely commissioned or related to Don Alfonso de Castilla Zuñiga while in the service of the Bishop of Calahorra and La Calzada, 1523-1541. There are two aftercasts of the original design, both based on molds taken from earlier design and reworked; one of which repurposed for other commissions, while the other was serially produced for broad distribution and features neither inscriptions nor armorials. Bergbauer/Chedeau, 1996, p.85, 52; Grande, Margarita Pérez (1985), Plateria de la Colegiata de Talavera de la Reina, Diputación Provincial de Toledo, p.90, fig. 8; Troncavini, Attilio: antiqua.mi.it/Troncavini_Placchette_gen16.html.

A Rare and Very Fine contemporary example. Ex David Abbate Collection.

Estimate
$800 to $1,200

Starting price
$475